As the weather warms up, you might notice more ants crawling inside your home.
Whether they’re marching across your kitchen counters or swarming your pantry, these tiny invaders are on a mission to find food, water, and shelter.
If you’re wondering why ants are suddenly everywhere and how to get rid of them, you’re not alone. Let’s explore the reasons behind this seasonal invasion and the best ways to stop ants from entering your home.
Why Are There So Many Ants in My House?
Ants are highly organized and opportunistic, meaning they’re always on the lookout for resources. Here are the most common reasons you’re seeing an increase in ants indoors:
1. Warmer Temperatures Wake Them Up
Ants become more active in spring and summer as they emerge from their winter hiding spots. As temperatures rise, they start foraging for food and looking for new nesting sites, often inside your home.
2. They’re Searching for Food
Ants are attracted to crumbs, spills, and open food containers. If they find an easy food source, they’ll send out pheromone trails to alert the rest of the colony. That’s why you often see a long line of ants following the same path.
3. Water Sources Are a Magnet
Like all living creatures, ants need water to survive. Leaky pipes, pet bowls, or condensation around windows and sinks can draw ants inside—especially during hot, dry weather.
4. Your Home Has Easy Entry Points
Ants are tiny and can squeeze through cracks, gaps, and holes in windows, doors, and walls. If your home has unsealed entry points, it’s an open invitation for ants to come inside.
5. A Colony Is Nesting Nearby
If you have ants in your walls, foundation, or yard, it’s only a matter of time before they venture indoors. Carpenter ants, for example, nest in moist, rotting wood, while pavement ants often settle in driveways and sidewalks near your home.
How to Stop Ants from Invading Your Home
Now that you know why ants are showing up, here’s how to keep them out for good:
1. Eliminate Food Sources
- Store food in airtight containers to prevent access.
- Wipe down counters, tables, and kitchen appliances to remove crumbs and spills.
- Sweep and mop floors regularly.
- Take out the trash daily, and keep garbage bins sealed.
2. Remove Water Sources
- Fix leaky faucets and pipes to eliminate excess moisture.
- Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight.
- Empty pet water bowls at night and wipe up spills around sinks and bathtubs.
3. Seal Entry Points
- Inspect doors, windows, and walls for cracks or gaps, and seal them with caulk.
- Install door sweeps to block ants from crawling inside.
- Repair or replace damaged window screens.
4. Destroy Ant Trails
- Wipe down surfaces with a mix of vinegar and water to erase pheromone trails.
- Use soapy water to clean areas where ants have been seen.
5. Use Natural Ant Repellents
- Cinnamon, peppermint oil, and citrus peels repel ants naturally.
- Diatomaceous earth is a non-toxic powder that kills ants by dehydrating them.
- Baking soda and powdered sugar can be mixed to create a DIY ant bait.
6. Set Up Ant Baits and Traps
- Use bait stations to attract and eliminate the entire colony.
- Avoid spraying individual ants—this only kills a few workers and doesn’t solve the root problem.
7. Keep Your Yard Maintained
- Trim bushes, trees, and plants away from your home to prevent ant highways.
- Move firewood and debris piles away from the house.
- Remove standing water from gutters, birdbaths, and flower pots.
Ant infestations can be frustrating, but with the right prevention steps, you can keep your home pest-free this season. By eliminating food and water sources, sealing entry points, and using effective ant deterrents, you’ll stop ants from taking over your space.
We can help make unwanted pests a thing of the past. With a pest invasion, time is often of the essence — contact Complete Pest Solutions today for all your pest extermination and removal needs in Youngstown, and our team will be out to help promptly!